The Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department has set up a trust account for the woman who accidentally drove into this hole (pictured above) created by a mudslide Jan. 29. The woman, Karena Donnelly, is still recovering. — Photo courtesy of the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook

Nanoose fire department sets up fund for woman caught in mudslide

Fire department managed to recover some of the woman’s belongings from her car

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue’s Nick Rivers performed the rope rescue and Nanaimo Search and Rescue, Nanoose and Lantzville fire departments were also on scene assisting. Rivers said the vehicle was upside down and all the windows had been blasted out on impact.

A few days after the rescue, Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department took custody of the car and cleaned out the sand and gravel to try and locate Donnelly’s belongings.

According to a Facebook post, the fire department did recover some items of sentimental value, but “unfortunately we did not locate any of her ID, clothing, wallet or rent money.”

story continues below

The posts also says that contractors on site are keeping an eye out for any of Donnelly’s belongings they can find, but “it’s not looking too promising.”

In addition to a community GoFundMe page, the Nanoose fire department has set up an account for Donnelly at the Coastal Community Credit Union.

“In an effort to help relieve at least some of the financial stress, we have set up a trust account at Coastal Community Credit Union, and you can go to any CCCU branch and make a contribution to the “Trust for Karena L Donnelly,” the post reads.

“This is not to undermine the fantastic efforts of those who have set up donation jars locally, but to work with them and broaden the playing field so that those further away can also contribute.”

The GoFundMe page has a fundraising goal of $2,000 and as of Tuesday, Feb. 13, $245 has been raised. The GoFundMe page can be found at www.gofundme.com/help-karena-heal.